Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin recently engaged in “virtual talks,” emphasizing the strong ties between their nations and pledging to enhance “high-level exchanges,” trade, and diplomatic relations.
Their conversation followed closely on the heels of a call from Mr. Xi to President Donald Trump and happened just before the conclusion of the Obama administration’s term. After the invasion of Ukraine, Putin abruptly declared he would indefinitely disregard the New START treaty for 2023, yet the Kremlin expressed disappointment that he and Trump couldn’t reach an agreement to either extend or replace it.
President Trump has declined to enter into a new nuclear deal with Russia. His stance is that China’s rapid and unregulated nuclear expansion necessitates its inclusion in a trilateral agreement. The Chinese Communist Party has reacted with anger towards proposals for such agreements, while Russia has largely remained silent on the matter.
Most official communications from the Chinese government regarding the talks did not focus on nuclear developments but rather on enhancing bilateral relations. These discussions coincide with the approach of the Lunar New Year, a customary time for Moscow and Beijing to address shared interests.
“President Xi expressed his willingness to collaborate with President Putin on this significant occasion to outline a new vision for China-Russia relations,” as noted by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Xi mentioned that his administration aims to “actively promote high-level openness and share new developmental avenues with all nations, including Russia.”
Xi also encouraged the two nations to engage in ongoing high-level communication, enhance practical collaboration in various sectors, build deeper strategic partnerships, shoulder the responsibilities of major powers, and ensure that their relationship progresses positively. He pointed out that 2026 would “showcase increasing turmoil worldwide,” likely referencing the recent extradition of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro to the United States on drug-related charges. Maduro, a close ally of Russia and China, faced a significant shift in relations due to his situation.
“As responsible major powers and permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, China and Russia must unite global efforts to uphold fairness and justice,” Xi commented, emphasizing their resolve to defend the outcomes of World War II, uphold the UN-centered global system, and maintain global strategic stability.
None of these discussions specifically proposed any limits on nuclear weapon development. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not mention the New START treaty in its press release. However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the topic did come up during the talks.
“Yes, this issue was discussed yesterday, particularly regarding its adverse effects on the international nuclear arms control framework and overall strategic stability,” Peskov stated, as reported by TASS. However, he did not specify whether Putin had talked about including China in future nuclear containment agreements, something that has been a point of contention for years. Peskov reiterated that the Russian government views the treaty’s termination negatively and expressed regret over it.
Originally, the New START Treaty was set to expire in February 2021. In January of that year, President Biden had no intention of involving China in negotiations, instead extending an offer to Russia for a five-year treaty renewal, which surpassed what Russia sought during Trump’s term. Trump repeatedly refrained from extending the agreement, arguing that Russia’s violations rendered it meaningless without including China.
“It’s a one-sided deal, like all the other deals we make. It’s one-sided,” Trump remarked in 2017. “We granted them something we should never have permitted… Whether it’s START or the Iran deal, it’s just another poor agreement this country has made, arguably one of the worst.”
In 2019, Trump indicated he wanted China to be part of a new agreement.
“What we’re discussing is a nuclear deal that would cut our capabilities and theirs, and maybe reduce some of our significant firepower,” he explained at the time. “And China as well, frankly. We’ve talked about the possibility of a three-party deal rather than a two-party deal, and China has expressed a strong desire to be included.”
The Chinese government has consistently denied such ambitions, but state-run Global Times commented on Thursday, asserting that Trump wanting to involve China reflects its influence in global affairs.
“All parties, including the U.S. and Russia, recognize that a constructive approach to these issues cannot be achieved without China’s involvement. It must include meaningful dialogue and exchange with China,” cited a government-sanctioned “expert” in a state broadcaster report. “This positions China as a pivotal player in current international relations, serving as a crucial support for countries aiming to enhance their development and tackle real challenges.”
In February 2023, a year after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia officially declared its intent to disregard the treaty, citing Western aid to Ukraine as a motivating factor. On Thursday, Peskov did not address the contradiction between Putin’s public rejection of the treaty and the reported regret expressed by the government regarding its expiration.
